VIEW VIEWPOINT

Men Not Needed?

Written by Penna Dexter January 9 - 2026
Penna Dexternever miss viewpoints

Most studies show married women are happier. But a recent Pew survey shows young men are more interested in marriage than young women.

Politics is a factor. An NBC News survey published in September found that “Gen Z men who voted for Trump rate having children as the most important thing in their definition of success,” while “Gen Z women who voted for Harris ranked having children as the second least important thing in their personal definition of success.”

Emily Jashinsky worked for author Christina Hoff Summers on the 2013 rerelease of her book, The War Against Boys. Ms. Jashinsky, currently a Washington correspondent for the conservative British news outlet, Unherd, says the latest research on young adults shows that Ms. Summers’ 2000 book was “prescient.” Men are falling behind women on many fronts, including college enrollment and degrees earned, employment prospects, and, now the ability to find a spouse. Of the gap between men and women’s desire for marriage and family, she writes, “as some men struggle for economic opportunity, women are adjusting their expectations and desires.” Seeing “a pool of less marriageable men, young women are turning their backs on the institution.”

Since more women are achieving financial independence, many of them don’t feel they need men in the same way women once did. Richard Reeves, founder of the American Institute of Boys and Men, says, “we understate the extent to which men need that purpose, that need to be needed.”

Richard Reeves was asked by Washington Post podcaster Shadi Hamid about the downside of all the choices provided by online dating. With dating apps, there’s “this grass-is-greener dynamic.” Am I choosing “exactly the right person?”

When you find someone, he says, remember: it’s really about “how are you going to be in the relationship.” For men, “It’s less about picking the perfect wife, and more about being a good husband.”

Better yet. Be a man of faith. Find a woman of faith.penna's vp small

Listen to this Viewpoint

Viewpoints

View All
1784234019 6a59402307df7
July 21, 2026
Kerby Anderson

Digital Exposure

The European Parliament recently voted to allow governments and tech firms to scan private messages, photos, and other information on your phone. Those of us who desire some form of digital privacy wi...

Listen
1784232379 6a5939bb01ef4
July 20, 2026
Kerby Anderson

Declaration vs. Manifesto

Columnist Don Feder warns that we have a choice between two conflicting worldviews. One leads to freedom and dignity. The other leads to a regimented society and a ruling elite. The first is based on...

Listen
1784179760 6a586c3052fef
July 17, 2026
Penna Dexter

Un-American History Museum

Commensurate with an executive order President Trump issued early last year, the White House has just released a sweeping report, the result of its audit of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Americ...

Listen

Take Action

View All
Support the SAVE Act
July 20, 2026

Support the SAVE Act

SAVE Election Integrity with Voter ID.

Support the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act
April 15, 2026

Support the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act

The abortion pill harms women and kills unborn children. Congress must act.

FACE Act Repeal Act of 2025
January 12, 2026

FACE Act Repeal Act of 2025

Pro-lifers have been abused under the FACE Act for long enough.

Contact Congress About the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025
October 15, 2025

Contact Congress About the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025

Congress needs to get the job done, not run away from work.